Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-09-28
Mbeelins Re9ister
ALL THE WORLD At WAR,
BY Walter Besant.

Author of shepherds All and Maidens
Fair, I" "By Celia's ArbOr, The Goldea
Butterfly, F" etc, etc.
[coNTINUED.1
followed the procession up the path.
When we arrived in front Of the house
poor, deserted house, never again toreeeive
all its occupants-Dan asked permission
for q halt
"Pleasance, my pretty" said Dan, go
and bring out q glass Of brandy for this
gentleman, and one all round for these
brave lads and for US prisoners. It's
brandy, your honor, ss never
81 know, 1 know" said the officer,
laughing-it was Capt Pollard, r. n.
''well, we will halt for the brandy"
l served them all, beginning with the
officer, and going from him to the prison
ers. 1t WAS now daybreak, and, in the
cold gray light, 1 recOguizeda all their faces.
l knew every one of them. l had seen
them at BridpOrt, at SeatOn, and elsewhere,
when / went to look out for the revenue
cutter. One of them was a Lyme man, a
cousin of John Beer, the barber.
There" said Dan, when the brandy
had gone round, now 90 in, my pretty,
aud get to sleep, and don't fret. Where
are we going, sir?'
TO Lyme first then 20 BridPOrt. After
that | suppose you will be sent up to Dor
chester to take your trial"
~ shall walk to Lyme with you" l
said.
No opposition was made. Arrived at
the high road, the prisoners were made to
walk together in the middle, all h~andcutfed
and guarded by the men with drawn cut
Iasses. | noticed that they all tried to
march next to Dun and whisper in his ear.
The whispers were friendly expressions oil
sympathy and regret.
"How did they know | should u into
ROusdon bay" asked Dan Of one Of them.
The man shook his head. He knew
nothing about it. ''SOme informer,' he
supposed. with a muttered curse against
all infOrmers.
walked beside Will. We was tryingtO
face the situation, which was very serious.
~ shall he committed for trial with the
rest, PleaSGnCe. Be brave, my girl; 1t Will
only be a term of imprisonment, no doubt.
We shall fight il through. But my mother
must not know.
"Oh, Will. they won't send you to
PRISON."
IL doubt they must. INV dear. l must
think what is best Ia be done for all Of MS
rs we'll as for myself. You would not like
me to escape ut the expense OF the poor old
man, would yOn?"
There was nOreply possible to this. Oi
course | would not in my hight mind.
Just then, however, it seemed as If even
Dan might 20 provided my Will cOuld be
got out of the Scrape.
We marched down the steep hill which
leads into Lyme at about $50. The little
town was sound asleep. When we reached
the house of Mr.. MallOck, justice Of the
peace, a halt was called and the offer be
gan to knock Justify at the door.
His worship was not dressed. Could we
come later on
We could not; the case was imperative
His worship must BE- good enough to get
out of bed and receive us at once.
We all trooYed into the narrow hall,
and stood there together waiting for about
ten minutes, when the magistrate came
slowly down stairs, wrapped in u dressing
gown, wearing a night cap instead Of q wig,
and grumbling rs he slowly descended the
stairs. He was u pOrtly old gentleman
with purple cheeks, eyes which might be
described ~ google, and full lips. j knew
him for one OF Dams best customers. The
hue of those cheeks was not due to fresh
air and exercise, but to port and old
French brandy.
The narrow hall was nearly dark, lit
only by a single tallow candle, carried by
the maid who admitted us. The worthy
Justice looked round him with angry won
der.
Now, gentlemen" he said, what is
this? Why is a gentleman to be pulled
out of his bed on q cold morning before
daybreak? Is BOnaparte landed? Have
you got a French spy? Well, who is in
command ofyou?"
al am, Mr.. Mallock, if you will allow
me to speak, " said Capt. Pollard.
ALLOW you, sir am waiting TOR you.
/ am up at this ungOdly hour on purpose
10 hear you speak. Mary, go bring a pair
of candles To the dining room. Now, sir,
speak"
Il am Lieut.. Pollard, Mr.. MallOGk,
and"-
"Oh, Polldrd-I am sorry | did not re-
cOgniZe you. What with the darkness
here-Mary, DO fetch these lights!-and
the confusion Of ones wits at this disturb
ance-pray excuse What does it mean,
Pollard? We were wishing for you last
night, over as good \ glass of brandy rs
ever Dam
Here the captain interrupted him with
great a%lacritY.
81 am here, Mr.. MallOck. officially, "a
officer in command Of his majesty's revenue
cutter the Tcaser. These are my men;
these four are my prisoners. Prisoners,
step forward